Class- IX-CBSE-Science Structure of the Atom

CBSE NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Science Chapter 4

Back of Chapter Questions

1. What are canal rays?

Solution:
Canal rays are positively charged radiations that can pass through perforated
cathode. They consist of positively charged particles and travel towards another
cathode in a gas discharge tube. E. Goldstein discovered these radiations in 1866.
2. If an atom contains one electron and one proton, will it carry any charge or not?
Solution:
An atom having one electron and one proton will not carry any charge as the
positive charge on the proton will neutralize the negative charge on the electron.
Therefore, there the net charge on the atom is zero.
3. On the basis of Thomson's model of an atom, explain how the atom is neutral as a
whole.
Solution:
Thomson proposed a model of an atom. According to this model, an atom consists
of a sphere of positive charge. The positive charge in the atom is spread all over
like the red edible part of a watermelon, while the electrons are studded in the
positively charged sphere, just like the seeds in the watermelon.

Both charges are equal in magnitude. These opposite charges balance each other
thus the atom becomes electrically neutral as a whole.
4. On the basis of Rutherford's model of an atom which sub-atomic particle is present
in the nucleus of an atom?
Solution:
Proton is the sub-atomic particle present in the nucleus of an atom. At that time
neutron was not discovered.

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Class- IX-CBSE-Science Structure of the Atom

5. Draw a sketch of Bohr's model of an atom with three shells.

Solution:
6. What do you think would be the observation if the 𝛼𝛼-particle scattering experiment
is carried out using a foil of metal other than gold?
Solution:
If we will use a foil of a heavy metal like platinum, then the observations in the
alpha - particle scattering experiment would be the same as that in the gold foil
experiment. If a foil of a light metal like lithium is used, then the observations in
the alpha-particle scattering experiment would not be the same as that in the gold
foil experiment.
7. Name the three sub-atomic particles of an atom.
Solution:
The three subatomic particles of an atom are -
(i) Electrons
(ii) Protons and
(iii) Neutrons
8. Helium atom has an atomic mass of 4 u and two protons in its nucleus. How many
neutrons does it have?
Solution:
Atomic mass of Helium = 4 u
No. of protons = 2
We know that, Atomic mass = no. of protons + no. of neutrons
No. of neutrons = Atomic mass - no. of protons
=4-2=2
9. Write the distribution of electrons in Carbon and Sodium atoms.
Solution:

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Class- IX-CBSE-Science Structure of the Atom

Electronic configuration
Element Atomic number
K shell L shell M shell

Carbon 6 2 4
Sodium 11 2 8 1

10. If K and L shell of an atom is full then what would be the total number of
electrons in the atom?
Solution:
We know that,
No. of electrons in K-shell = 2
No. of electrons in L-shell = 8
The total no. of electrons in the atom will be = 2 + 8 = 10
11. How will you find the valency of chlorine, sulphur and magnesium?
Solution:
We know that atomic number of Chlorine = 17
Its electronic configuration will be = 2, 8, 7
Valency of Cl = 8 -7 = 1
We know that Atomic number of sulphur = 16
Its electronic configuration will be = 2, 8, 6
Valency of S = 8 - 6 = 2
We know that Atomic number of magnesium = 12
Its electronic configuration = 2, 8, 2
Valency of Mg = 2
12. If number of electrons in an atom is 8 and number of protons is also 8, then
(i) what is the atomic number of the atom? and
(ii) what is the charge on the atom?
Solution:
(i) We know that, Atomic number = Number of Protons = 8
(ii) Given that,
Number of Protons (8) = Number of electrons (8)
So, the charge on the atom will be zero.

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Class- IX-CBSE-Science Structure of the Atom

13. With the help of below table, find out the mass number of oxygen and sulphur
atom.

Solution:
We know that, Mass number = Number of Protons + Number of neutrons
So, for oxygen,
Number of Protons = 8, Number of neutrons = 8
Mass number of oxygen will be = 8 + 8 = 16
So, for Sulphur,
Number of Protons = 16, Number of neutrons = 16
Mass number of oxygen will be = 16 + 16 = 32
14. For the symbol H, D and T tabulate three subatomic particles found in each of
them.
Solution:
H, D and T are isotopes of hydrogen with mass numbers of 1, 2 and 3
respectively.
Element Symbols Electrons Protons Neutrons

Hydrogen H 1 1 0
Deuterium D 1 1 1
Tritium T 1 1 2

15. Write the electronic configuration of any one pair of isotopes and isobars.
Solution:
Electronic configuration

Isotopes Protons Electrons Neutrons Shell

𝐊𝐊 𝐋𝐋 𝐌𝐌 𝐍𝐍
35 17 17 18 287−
17Cl

37
17Cl 17 17 20 287−

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Class- IX-CBSE-Science Structure of the Atom

Electronic configuration

Isobars Protons Electrons Neutrons Shell

𝐊𝐊 𝐋𝐋 𝐌𝐌 𝐍𝐍
40 20 20 2882
20Ca
20

40
18Ar
18 28 22 288−

Back of the book:

1. Compare the properties of electrons, protons and neutrons.

Solution:
The properties of electrons, protons and neutrons (i.e. nature of their charge, mass
and location) are given below in a tabulated form-
Particle Nature of charge Mass Location

negative
Electron 9.0 × 10−31 kg Extra nuclear part
−19
(−1) or −1.6 × 10 C
Positive
Proton 1.672 × 10−27 kg (1 u) Nucleus
(+1) or +1.6 × 10−19 C
Neutron No charge 1.672 × 10−27 kg (1 u) Nucleus

2. What are the limitations of J. J. Thomson's model of the atom?

Solution:

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Class- IX-CBSE-Science Structure of the Atom

J.J. Thomson model says that the mass of an atom is due to electrons and protons
which are evenly spread throughout the atom which did not agree with observations
of Rutherford according to whom the mass is concentrated in a very small space.
Thomson's model could not explain the results of alpha particle scattering
experiment.
3. What are the limitations of Rutherford's model of the atom?
Solution:
The major limitation of Rutherford's model is that it does not explain the stability
of the atom. When charged bodies move in circular motion, they emit radiations.
This means that the electrons revolving round the nucleus (as suggested by
Rutherford) would lose energy and come closer and closer to nucleus, and a stage
will come when they would finally merge into the nucleus. This makes the atom
unstable. The electrons do not fall into the nucleus, atoms are very stable and do
not collapse on their own.
4. Describe Bohr's model of the atom.
Solution:
In order to overcome the objections raised against Rutherford's model of the atom,
Neil’s Bohr put forward his model of the atom. According to Bohr's model of the
atom,
1. An atom consists of a small positively charged nucleus at its center.
2. The whole mass of the atom is concentrated at the nucleus.
3. The volume of the nucleus is smaller than the volume of the atom (by a ratio
of about 1: 105).
4. The protons and neutrons of the atom are present in the nucleus.
5. The electrons of the atom, which are negatively charged, revolve around the
nucleus indefinite circular paths known as orbits or which are designated as
K, L, M, N etc. or numbered as (n) = 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. (outward from the
nucleus).
6. As each orbit is associated with a fixed amount of energy, these orbits are
also known as energy levels.
7. While revolving in discrete orbits, the electrons do not radiate energy. When
an electron jumps from one energy level to another, the energy of the atom
changes.

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Class- IX-CBSE-Science Structure of the Atom

5. Compare all the proposed models of an atom given in this chapter.

Solution:

Thomson's model of Rutherford's model Bohr's model of an

Feature
an atom of an atom atom

As per Thomson's The positive charge

The positive charge
model of an atom, is concentrated at
1. Positive Charge is present in the
an atom consists of the core of the
(Protons) core of the atom,
a positively atom, which is
called nucleus.
charged sphere. called nucleus.

The nucleus is
The electrons are surrounded by The electrons move
embedded in the electrons, and the in discrete orbits,
2. Negative charge positively charged electrons and the and each orbit is
(electrons) sphere of an atom, nucleus are held associ-ated with a
like the seeds in a together by definite amount of
watermelon. electrostatic force energy.
of attraction.

3. Diagrammatic
representation

This model could

not explain the This model could
4. Limitation: Advantage: This
results of alpha not explain the
model explains the
particle scattering stability of the
stability of atoms.
experiment carried atom.
out by Rutherford.

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Class- IX-CBSE-Science Structure of the Atom

6. Summarize the rules for writing of distribution of electrons in various shells for
the first eighteen elements.
Solution:
The Bohr and Bury scheme for the distribution of electrons in an atom is based on
the following rules:
1. The maximum number of electrons which a shell can have is represented by
2n2, where n is the quantum number of that particular energy shell. Thus,
the maximum number of electrons in the shells is:
1st (K) shell 2 x 12 = 2
2nd (L) shell 2 x 22 = 8
3rd (M) shell 2 x 32 = 18
4th (N) shell 2 x 42 = 32
2. The outermost shell (valence shell) can have a maximum of 8 electrons.
3. The shell next to (or inner to) the outermost shell, which is called the
penultimate shell, can accommodate a maximum of 18 electrons, (if
permitted by rule 1).
4. Electrons are not accommodated in a given shell unless the inner shells are
filled, i.e., the shells are filled in a stepwise manner.
7. Define valency by taking examples of silicon and oxygen.
Solution:
Valency is defined as the combining capacity of an atom of an element. If an atom
has four or less than four electrons in its valence shell, then valency is equal to the
no. of valence electrons. But if it has more than 4 valence electrons, then valency
is equal to 8 minus no. of valence electrons.
Silicon has atomic number 14 and its electronic configuration is:
K L M

2 8 4

So, valency of silicon = 8 - 4 = 4

Oxygen has atomic number 8 and its electronic configuration is:
K L

2 6

So, valency of oxygen = 8 - 6 = 2

8. Explain with examples

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Class- IX-CBSE-Science Structure of the Atom

(i) Atomic number

(ii) Mass number
(iii) Isotopes and
(iv) Isobars
Give any two uses of isotopes.
Solution:
(i) Atomic number: Atomic number of an atom is the total number of protons
present within the nucleus of an atom.
Example: As sodium atom has 11 protons in its nucleus, its atomic number
is 11.
(ii) Mass number: Mass number of an atom is the sum total of number of proton
and neutrons present in the atom.
Mass Number = No. of Protons + No. of Neutrons
Example: As a sodium atom has 11 protons and 12 neutrons in its nucleus,
its mass number = 11 + 12 = 23.
(iii) Isotopes: The atoms which possess same atomic number (the atoms same
element) but different mass numbers are called Isotopes.
Example: Hydrogen has three isotopes 11 H , 12 H , 13 H . The atomic
number of all the three is 1, but their mass numbers are 1, 2 and 3
respectively.
(iv) Isobars: Isobars are the atoms of different elements having the same mass
number but different atomic numbers.
Example:
Mass numbers of calcium and argon atoms are 40, but different atomic
numbers 20 and 18 respectively.
Two uses of isotopes are:
(i) Isotope of uranium is used as a fuel in nuclear reactors.
(ii) Isotope of cobalt is used in the treatment of cancer.
9. Na+ has completely filed K and L shells. Explain.
Solution: An atom of Na has a total of 11 electrons. Its electronic configuration is
2, 8, 1. But, Na+ ion has one electron less than Na atom i.e. it has 10 electrons.
Therefore, 2 electrons go to K-shell and 8 electrons go to L-electrons, thereby
completely filling K and L shells.

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Class- IX-CBSE-Science Structure of the Atom

10. If bromine atom is in the form of say two isotopes 79

35 Br(49.7%) and
81
35 Br (50.3%), then calculate the average mass of bromine atom.

Solution:
79 81
Given, two isotopes of bromine are 35 Br(49.7%) and 35 Br (50.3%),
49.7 50.3
Average atomic mass of bromine atom= 79 × 100 + 81 × 100

3926.3 4074.3
= +
100 100
= 80.006 u
11. The average atomic mass of a sample of an element X is 16.2u. What are the
percentages of isotopes 16 18
8 X and 8 X in the sample?

Solution:
Let the percentage of one of the isotopes in the sample be x, so that the percentage
of the other isotope in the sample will be (100-x).
16
Mass of isotope 8 X is 16 u and let its percentage be 𝑥𝑥%.
18
Mass of isotope 8 X is 18 u and its percentage be (100 − 𝑥𝑥)%
x 100−x
Average atomic mass of X = 16 × 100 + 18 × 100

But, the average atomic mass of X is give as 16.2 u

𝑥𝑥 100−𝑥𝑥
Therefore, 16.2 = 16 × 100 + 18 × 100

16𝑥𝑥 1800 − 18𝑥𝑥

16.2 = +
100 100
16.2 × 100 = 1800 − 2𝑥𝑥
2𝑥𝑥 = 1800 − 1620
So, 𝑥𝑥 = 180/2 = 90
Thus,
16
Percentage of 8 X in the sample= 90 %
18
Percentage of 8 X in the sample= 10 %
12. If Z = 3, what would be the valency of the element? Also, name the element.
Solution:
Atomic number, Z = 3
Distribution of electrons: K = 2, L = 1 (K can have a maximum of two electrons)

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So, Valency = 1, The element is Lithium (From periodic table).

13. Composition of the nuclei of two atom X and Y are given as under:
X Y
Protons = 6 6
Neutrons = 6 8
Give the mass numbers of X and What is the relation between the two species?
Solution:
As we know, mass number of an atom = No. of protons + No. of Neutrons
So, Mass number of X = 6 + 6 = 12
Mass number of Y = 6 + 8 = 14
As both X and Y have the same atomic number (6) but different mass numbers
(i.e., 12 and 14 respectively), so they are isotopes.

14. For the following statements write T for True and F for False.
(a) J. J. Thomson proposed that the nucleus of an atom contains only
nucleons.
(b) A neutron is formed by an electron and a proton combining together.
Therefore, it is neutral.
1
(c) The mass of an electron is about 2000
times that of proton.

(d) An isotope of iodine is used for making tincture of iodine which is used as
a medicine.
Solution:
(a) F (Rutherford proposed that the nucleus of an atom contains only
nucleons.)
(b) F (Neutron is an independent subatomic particle)
(c) T (It is observed from experiments)
(d) F (Tincture iodine is solution of ordinary iodine in alcohol)
15. Rutherford's alpha-particle scattering experiment was responsible for the
discovery of
(a) Atomic nucleus
(b) Electron

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Class- IX-CBSE-Science Structure of the Atom

(c) Proton
(d) Neutron
Solution: (a)
Atomic nucleus
Rutherford's alpha-particle scattering experiment was responsible for the
discovery of atomic nucleus.
16. Isotopes of an element have:
(a) the same physical properties
(b) different chemical properties
(c) different number of neutrons
(d) different atomic numbers
Solution: (c)
Isotopes of an element have different numbers of neutrons.
17. Number of valence electrons in Cl− ion is
(a) 16
(b) 8
(c) 17
(d) 18
Solution: (b)
Electronic configuration of Cl (Atomic number = 17) will be 2,8,7
Cl- will gain one more electron. Hence, number of valence electrons will be =
7+1 = 8.
18. Which one of the following is a correct electronic configuration of sodium?
(a) 2, 8
(b) 8, 2, 1
(c) 2, 1, 8
(d) 2, 8, 1
Solution: (d)
Atomic number of sodium (Na) = 11. Hence, K shell will have 2 electrons, L will
have 8 and M shell (valence shell) will have 1 electron.
Electronic configuration will be 2, 8, 1.

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Class- IX-CBSE-Science Structure of the Atom

19 Complete the following table:

Name of the
Atomic Mass Number of Number of Number of
atomic
Number Number Neutron protons Electrons
species

9 − 10 − − −
16 32 − − − Sulphur
− 24 − 12 − −
− 2 − 1 − −
− 1 0 1 0 −

Solution:
We know that,
Atomic number = Number of protons = Number of electrons
First row:
Mass number = number of protons + number of neutrons = 9 + 10 = 19
Second row:
Since atomic no. is 16 so, number of protons = number of electrons = 16
Number of neutrons = Mass number - number of protons = 32 - 16 = 16
Third row:
Number of protons = Atomic number = 12
So, the element is Magnesium.
Number of electrons = number of protons = 12
Number of neutrons = Mass number - number of protons = 24 - 12 = 12
Fourth row:
Number of protons = Atomic number = 1
So, the element is Deuterium.
Number of electrons = number of protons = 1
Number of neutrons = Mass number - number of protons = 2 - 1 = 1

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Fifth row:
Number of protons = Atomic number = 1
The element is Protium since the mass number is 1.
Atomic Number of Number of Number of Name of the
Mass number
number neutrons protons electrons atomic species

9 19 10 9 9 Fluorine
16 32 16 16 16 Sulphur
12 24 12 12 12 Magnesium
1 2 1 1 1 Deuterium
1 1 0 1 0 Protium

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